Liverpool mull Hearts’ loan bid for Michael Ngoo

BARRY ANDERSON

HEARTS have approached Liverpool with a loan offer for striker Michael Ngoo and were today awaiting a response from manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Evening News revealed on Tuesday that Ngoo was on Hearts’ radar and they have now made a move to bring the England Under-20 forward to Edinburgh. Tynecastle officials are keen to agree a deal in time for Ngoo to play in Saturday’s Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Inverness.

Rodgers, however, must first agree to release Ngoo on loan and both clubs would then have to agree on how much Hearts will contribute to his wages.Relations between Tynecastle and Anfield are cordial following last week’s loan agreement which saw Scotland international defender Danny Wilson join Hearts until the end of the season.

Manager John McGlynn is now hoping for a similar arrangement for Ngoo having been impressed by the striker on several scouting missions to England. Ngoo is a regular at under-21 level for Liverpool but is not involved in Rodgers’ first-team squad.

Coaches at the club’s Melwood training complex believe he would benefit from a loan move to gain more experience of senior football before he can challenge for a regular place in England’s Premier League.

Ngoo is willing to consider a loan to showcase his credentials and is aware of Hearts’ interest. He is 6ft 4in tall with a physical presence and notable pace. In that sense, his attributes appeal to McGlynn and Hearts’ director of football John Murray. Both men have watched the 20-year-old playing in under-21 games in recent weeks, but must wait for Rodgers’

response before proceeding.

Meanwhile, teenager Callum

Paterson is a major doubt for this weekend’s semi-final due to a foot injury. He aggravated the problem in training on Tuesday and is awaiting a scan to determine its full extent. Hearts are already without the suspended Darren Barr and Ryan Stevenson against Inverness and would have their midfield further weakened if Paterson is also missing.